Wave guide switch



June 21, 1960 s. LAPlDus E'rAx. 2,942,208

WAVE GUIDE SWITCH Filed July 13, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fis. .3

June 2l, 1960 s LAPlDUs ETAL 2,942,208

WAVE GUIDE SWITCH Filed July 13, 1955 i 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 /4 1W A /A/ VHN-0,95.

June 21, 1960 s. LAPIDUs ETAL WAVE GUIDE SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 13, 1955 FIG. 5

Pf6. s

to thefsurfaceof la'f-sphere,if.t.hus simplifying the .production ntedgtates arent 2,942,208A WAVE GUIDE.SWITCH:if.V

Filed Juiyia, 19ss,.ser..Ne. .521;725 1o 11 claims. (ci: esse-'7) This invention relates -to microwavefsystems',iespeciallynl waveguide:.plumbingwandnnore particularly/.fito a switch-.14.:A therefor.

A .waveguide switch may be use@ forfftransferring. microwave. energy. from'. =one..-input.to either :of two out put s,..or y.to feed...either;of two outputsintoacommonw20 transmission` line,.or in combination withadummyxloadwts; to feed. a radar output `to eitherfan antenna or the dumn'iyrig load. LOne..general .object of the. present inventioniis to f it' prqvidean improve@ waveguidetswitchmfor theforegoing andtother.purposes...H A further object-isto. provide-such "125 a switch which-ais light? in weightfandsuitable-.for 'aire-.fc borne .equpmenttw More particular objects are .to proj/idea:- waveguiglemr. switch'..which =is. eornpactnfasttin operation;i .dynamically-f.' balanced.,` and. .whichtliasegood -isolatiom-` and-.'arvoltag'el 1.30 standinglwaveratioswhich.isrlow...1.

A furtheiobjectis.. to provide fafwaveguideeswiteh. the relativelyniovable or internal.- angesof whichfconorrnof chokes in said ariges, and makingupossiblefafmor compact. assembly of oppositelyfdirected Ichokesftfor-:the inside-andoutsideangese Further objectsccentenabout-tthe .motorrmechanismito rn operate .theswitchnnden.remote-econtrolm In prefetti-edm: forni. We .employ a. rotary solenoid .andfirnproved linkagexfo between said. solenoid andtheinovable .part-of the fswitchmz In ccordancmwithlfeatures and objects'iof therinvention' this'ilinkge..stepsalpthe motion-sfrom.9.0"V to 18M-fpm videslgrairiualacceleration` and'. deceleration, and fis-self lockingL'in its endpositions....Additional .means Amayehe proyidedto reducefthe .energizaticnof the. solenoid-when. it slleffenergized.. Y v

A .frtherl object .of the inventionlis .to provide-.a short-fi ing'orfisolationplate:.whichzactsfalso .fasa-counterbalanc for rbalancing.the .rotor of the. switch; The rotorisfo th L type, having an H plane bendafibut adezzcompactaby .ff. using. asharp. corner. and aimitred;l wall.;y f

To accomplish'.- the L"foregoing .objectsgland suchflther f' objectsfas will hereinafter"appeargaourinvention freside'sf55 in the' waveguide. switch .elementsgz andf .their `relation'fone e to anothergvas are hereinafter fmoreparticularly 'Ldescri-bed in the ifollovving` specificationsThe'speciticationfis ac-"m companiedfbydrawings-,ein which"- l Figfl'isla perspective vieiv'showing aiwaveguidefswitch '6.0 embodying feature'sof our inventio'm'; f I I Fig???t isf aflongitudinalfsection. through' .the waveguide i switch takeri'approximately in theplaneof the line ...-.25." Cf Fig` ,1; 65 Figf'isa transverse section"takenapproxirnately in ther... plan' of th'elinlf-'S of Fig'fZ; w.. 1 Figi a partiallyv sectioned.fragmentary...view of theinrv hoiisiu .or the switchg. n y i.

Fig. f5; ist a.=vewf,of thefgroton alonegilookingttowardtits tof() movableusphercallyisurfacedr outlet angegeaz Fig. 6 is a section throughoneofthelstationaryoutletll compactrelatibn.

PatentedJune 21;.- 11960-121@ 2 L, an'ges,.taken on a..-diameterf.perpendicularA to thesectiomeer. shown lin Eig.'.2;

Fig-7 iis-explanatory-of the location of the rollergbeare ings gforsthelrotorl;

Figi .8; is a-.viewfl'ooking towardftheinside face of onee-f. of the stationaryifoutlet.angesg and-f Fig. 9 is a Wiringdiagram.'

Referringrto the'. drawing, and. more.-pa1 tc'ularly=V Figs; 1 and V2, the.waveguide.switchcomprises afhollow^,bod 12 having'an inletilange-14 andftwo spaced" outlet ang 16 and..18. .f-.Theref vis-also.a:wave, .1,fuide -L generally desig natedaZ() housed.' in the` body 12, wand `mountedior rotafff tion: about the axisrzz (FigrZ) .of oneof the-.two"arms.=of: the.L, in thiscase the arnr-24.-V 'I'hisaxiszz isalso the.. axis.of the.in1et.ange.`14....The L220 has Aan H bendyas willbe seen f-rominspection `of Fig. 1.`

In the..pregferred4 vform ofthe invention -shownthetwoi spaced. .outlet..'angesgf16 4andi y18 are .parallel to one van other and are both perpendicular-.sto thezinletilange114,.so,l that.they.are..in rightfangled El'. relation.; The rotor yor 20 rnade-compact..by :using a sharp or perpendiculara. insidelcornenat 26,.and.a wall .28 whichtis. at an angle 0f- 135.?t` thearms24 andi) f theLL.

Theinletfarmld of. theeL. ispreferably provided. with 1 a cylindrical .bearing :portion 32,. andxthis 4is preferably: made large. l enoughin diametermto permit..theprovision-` of alchoke 534 .locatedoutside the .waveguide...-The free. end.3'6 fof the .'outleLarm 30 of the-L is preferablyrvconvex'and conforr'ns to the surface of a sphere which has lits t?" center at the intersection of the. axes-of the-arms 24 and?" 30 'f the'L. ThQinn'erzfac 38 of ot1et.ange.16 and en. the; inner face-..40 of out1et.fflan"ge.18 are preferably/ccnly cavely spherical ,to conform totheconvexly spherical end' i. 36 o'f tlieL. Thislisshovvn. in Fig. 6..by thef.radius.R-; e.; In Fig".I 6 itnvvfill be noted.thattheinnerefaces Imaybe ...f2 proyidel with a choke.. 42, vvhile the. `:outer tirace` may :be prqyidedwith la'chokefi4. l .The sameapplies tothe other.- e s outlef'ange 18 'shovvn in FigZ.v The vouteinchokesetst f. are"cylindricalQ .'I'hf'innerY chokesA-Z v(.lFigf) `areaders..Y fined on the .frustuni of acone, .theapex.-0f which. coinm cide's Withtlie center 'ofthe spherical surface..- V.The choke A 42 ai'e` made. frusta-conical.primarilyfora reasoni e plairied"'lter,..butitvvillbe -seenlin Figv tthatlone a vantage isithatthe eholies'44 and 42 maybe moved into.r

The rotoror L is preferably provided...with.aishortingr or isolation: 'plate .46 ("Fi'gZ) secured` by means of screwm... 48 to a b'os'st) forned onthe .angular Wall 28` of the. rotor; jl-Thisn isolation' plate i's' preferably'inade sutiicintly v weighty-to counter-balance'thearmtl ofthe L, so that' it; serves` as albala'ncein ddit'io'nito its 'electricar'function of shorting theidisconnected outletfiangea AYin this casetiheA anzgls. :.rThe peripheryof the isolationplateei sinade t" to conform to the surfacetofiaspherefhavingits center'at e theriintersectionfof the {axis-tof thezlr,r as previously deff scribedtorzthesurfaces 36', 38 adfAtl/t l The. L. 20 4isfpreferably#rotatably supported-at .bothfendsz Por .this-.pu1.jpos e..the-V L is providedwith'arjournalrSZ receivecl in a balLbearinglSl..carriedby a stationary bean ingyvallmS "forming a. partof tliehousing.-.12.. -.'-At..thet otherend :of the nL the-cylindrical inletange portionz is preferably supported on antiefriction bearings...I Spcifie cally,l 'We-'employfour "small 'rollers located at the corners. of asquareas is' indicatedA by tl1e"rollers`.58 'iii Fig`f`7 T1' which Vs'upp'orfthe 4vcylindrical 'aii'ge 32.".ll`he 'mounting' .which 'arefusedeas the rollers which supper-tithe L.

3 motor means, preferably Va rotary solenoidv indicated at 62. This drives the L through linkage terminating at the journal 52. The linkage is best shown in Fig. 3, referring to which therotary solenoid 62 turns apdriving arm 64 through an angle of substantially 90. The free end of driving arm 64 is movable in a slot 66 disposed longitudinally of -an intermediate arm 68, pivoted ata point 70 which isA spaced Vfrom the yaxis 72 of the rotary solenoid. The free end of this intermediate arm 68 slidobserved also that the arms 64 and 68 are in substan tially perpendicular relation at the beginning and end of their motion, thus helping make the linkage self-locking A against'disturbance from without.

The connection between arm 64 and slot 66 is preferably made by means of amanti-friction roller 78, and this may be a small ball bearing the outer race of which acts as the` roller. Similarly the connection between arm 68 and slot 74 may be made by means of an anti-friction roller 80, which again may be a ball bearing the outer` race ofwhich acts as the roller. The rotary solenoid 62 may be of conventional type, that here shown being made by G. H. Leland Inc. of Dayton, Ohio under'the name llLqdeX!! I The stationary flanges 16 and 18 have cylindrical walls at 82 which are received in mating cylindrical' sockets in the housing 12. One of these sockets is shown at 84- in Fig. 4. The flanges may lbe sealed to the housing as by the use of gaskets 86 shown in Fig. 2. The parts may be held together by assembly screws the heads of which `are shown at 87 in Fig. 1. For pressurized systems the flanges 16 and 18 may have annular slots 88 to receive O I rings or other suitable gaskets. Similarly the stationary inlet lliange 14 may have an annular slot 90 for an O ring or other gasket. The back end of the housing is closed by means of a plate 92, and a pressure sealing lgasket 94 may be employed. Connections for the control Wiringmay be made through a suitable IAN type connector, here indicated at 96, to maintain vthe pressure seal.

The configuration of the stationary outlet anges 16 and \18 will be clear from examination of Figs. 6 and 8 of the drawing. The cylindrical outside choke 44 (Fig. 6) may. extend entirely around the waveguide. The conical inside choke is preferably interrupted at the ends of the waveguide, as is best shown in Fig. 8, but also appears in Fig. 6. For compactness, the periphery of the ange 18 has three llats 19, as shown in Fig. 8V.

The rotor or L is shown in Fig. 5 looking toward the spherically surfaced outlet flange 36. The remote waveguide wall 24, and the sloping wall 28, are visible through the rectangular waveguide opening. Journal 52is secured to wall 28 at 98, as by means of welding, and the location of boss 50 is also shown. If made in sufiicient 2,942,208 l I a arm 30, and thel cylindrical flange 32 is welded at the free end of the waveguide arm 24.

One wiring arrangement for control of the switch is shown in Fig. 9, in which the solenoid coil is indicated at 62, and is energized from any suitable power line source 102. A switch 104, which may be an ordinary toggle switch, is used to control the waveguide switch. The solenoid has its own internal spring which urges it to one end position. When switch 104 is closed solenoid. 62 is energized, thereby changing the waveguide switch to opposite end position. If desired, microswitches may be provided for additional purposes, and referring to Fig. 3, in the present case there are two microswitches 106 and 108. One or the other of these is reached and shifted by the driven arm 76. 4

Reverting now to Fig. 9, one purpose for which the microswitches may be used is to operate pilot lamps to show the position of the waveguide switch. Microswitch 106 may light a pilot lamp 110, Vwhile microswitch 108 may light a pilot lamp 112. The lamps may differ in color.

Another purpose for which one of the microswitches` erated it opens the direct circuit to solenoid 62, after which the solenoid current must flow through resistor 114,v

and is thus reduced in value.

Either or both microswitches may be used for other 3 outside control purposes, as, for example, to start or stop microwave equipment connected to the waveguide switch.v

The body or housing 12 of the switch (see Fig. 4) is preferably cast of aluminum in order to keep the switch light in weight. The stationary flanges 16 and 18 may also be made of aluminum.

It was previously mentioned that the linkage has the advantage ofy gradual acceleration and deceleration. This y is important in order to obtain rapid switching. In the quantity the L may be cast, but in the present case it is f assembled out of pieces which are welded together.

Specifically, two pieces of rectangular waveguide 24 and Y 30 are cut or mitred on a 45 angle, as is indicated (by the line 100 in Fig. 2, and are welded together.V (The term velded is intended to include soldering Yandbrazing, etc.) The outside corner vis cut away andY replaced by the Vwall 28 to which the boss 50 and journal 52 are Welded. Wallv 28 is welded in place. The spherically surfaced ange 36 is welded at the free end of the waveguide present case the switch requires only one-tenth of a second to operate. The true operating time includes any v i time during which the rotor vibrates or chatters at the end of its movement, for the transmission of radar or other microwave energy is spoiled during any such vibration or chatter. Thus a different switch mechanism might change the switch in less time, and yet the truetotal j switching time, from the viewpoint of effective transmission of microwave energy, might be much longer than the time used for the mechanical movement alone.` In

the present case there is no significant vibration or chatter,v`

and the'time used for the mechanical movement corresponds to the switching time.

It has previously been pointed out that the chokes 42 are preferably frusto-conical in configuration. It is primarily yfor this reason that spherical rather than cylindrical surfaces are employed at 36, 38 and 40 (Fig. 2). With a cylindrical surface the chokes would require a configuration which 'would be extremely ditiicult and expensive to machine. However, with the spherical surfaces here employed the chokes 42 (Fig. 6) may be frusto-couical, and that in turn is a shape very easy -to form in a milling machine by using an angularly disposed shaft for the milling machine cutter, accompanied by rotation of the iiange about its own axis.

It is believed that theconstruction and operation, as

tion greater than 60 d-b; will take pressurization up to `60 lbs. per square inch; and has a radio frequency switching f time of about one-tenthlsecond.

The particular switch shown has a ,VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) of lessthan 1.10; an isola-V asagea.;

lt will' be apparent that whilefive have 'shown and .describedour invention ina preferrediorn, changes may be made in the"structure`shown`without 'departing from the scope of they invention,.as sought .to be defined 'in the" following claims." 1n"the"lclaim's`:the" terrns-l inlet "and outlet 'are' usedttor` convenience; but" it' willbe undep f1 stood 'that 'the .microwave energy may how/"through the* L of the *switch in opposite' direction, as, -forifexamplefif L is a't the Tother outlet 'argexsaid isolation plate .bein

made sufficiently weighty to counterbalance theioutletvl armv of the iL for balanced .rotation of the'L albo\'1t""t'he""'v axis of the inlet arm.

5. A waveguide switch comprising ahollow 'body hav-TT ing an inlet flange and 'two'space'd outlet "iiang'esjparallel"A to one another'in T relation,`a,wave'guide "L: housed' in' i" one'or anotherot twov different' transmitters vis to be 'con'-V nected at will* to a;- common antennat The `terms Tand L are'intendedtt includefan 'arrangement' in which the* axes' are at an angle' greater 'than 4-90","althotighV the"`90-`" said'bodyand'rnounted fo'rrotation aboutthexisof one "2f "of the'twoarms'of theL coinciding 'with'ithe' axis 'of the"" inlet Yflange, a'rotary solenoid for operatingsaid, and-"jJ linkagefb'etween said'rotarysolenoidandsid'L saidflinki'A1 angle-shown is most convenient for?practicalpurposes,"` yand `some claims"specify`1the' preferred perpendicular arrangement of the"flariges:' Thernotion 'of therotorfneed not" necessarilybe '180;"for' in theorythere might" be outlet l iiangesf-which *are angularly` related instead *"of paralleljandV whichmight correspondto a motion of the:l rotor @gully-say; 120'JV 'oi' 90jii1steadof 'l'80","although' in T relation,-a.waveguide L housedin said body and mounted for rotation about the axis `of one of thei two armsof the L.- coinciding with the axis of the inletilange',

therinlet endcf said L having a cylindrical"bearingiportiongand the free end of the outlet arrnxof said L: being convex'andfconforming to the surfacerof a sphererhaving i its center `at the-intersection of the-axeswf theftthe innertacecof each outlet iange beingsconcavely spherical to conform to the convexly spherical end of the L, said inner face of said outletange'having-a choke dened on the frustumfgof a.cone..the-.apex of which coincides."

with the center of the spherical surface.

2. A waveguide switch comprising a hollow body having an inlet ilange and two spaced outlet anges parallel to one another and both perpendicular to the inlet ange in T relation, a waveguide L housed in said -body and mounted =for rotation about the axis of one of the two arms of the L coinciding with the axis of the inlet flange, the inlet end of said L having a cylindrical bearing portion with a cylindrical choke outside the Waveguide, and the free end of the outlet arm of said L being convex and conforming to the surface of a sphere having its center at the intersection of the axes of the L, the inner face of each outlet flange being concavely spherical to conform to the convexly spherical end of the L, said inner face of said outlet ange having a choke defined on the frustum of lacone the apex of which coincides 'with the center of the spherical surface, the outer face of said outlet flange having a cylindrical choke.

3. A waveguide switch comprising a hollow body having an inlet ange and two spaced outlet anges, a waveguide L housed in said body and mounted for rotation about the axis of one of the two arms of the L coinciding with the axis of the inlet flange, said L having an H bend with its Walls mitred, the inside corner being a right angle, and t-he outside corner having a wall at an angle of 135 to the arms of the L and a shorting or isolation plate secured to said L and shaped to conform to the inner face of the iiange opposite the outlet arm of the L, said isolation plate being located at one outlet flange when the outlet arm of the L Iis at the other outlet ange. v

4. A waveguide switch comprising a hollow body having an inlet ange and two spaced outlet flanges parallel agecomprisin'g' a'driving Varrnton the rotary solenoid `hav ing its freeend Vrnovable'in asl'ot disposed ingitudinally'r' 'of an intermediate arm pivoted at av point `spaced' f ro the` axis "of the-rotary solenoid andspacedi'fronr'the axisrff of rotation of the/L, andardrivenarm securedrto the'l;

on th'e'f axis of rotaticnof the' L, thefre'end of said'in'ter mediate armslidablyi'engaginga slot disp'sedion'gitudinaf# "ly in the driven'arm- 6. A waveguide 'switch 'comprising' a' hollowebodyhav; ing: an inletilange'and` two'spaced outletan'ges parallel to one another in T relation,'a waveguide'L-hou`sed` in said'J body and mounted for rotation about the axis-of` oneof 'thetwo'arms of thel L-coinciding with the axisof the inlet ange, a-rotarysolenoid for operating said-L', and linkage betweenl said rotary solenoid and said L, said 'linkagefi" comprising 'a driving arm lon the rotary solenoid havingT its 4free 'endmovable in a slot disposed"longitudinally Ao f an intermediate arm pivoted vat a` point-'spacedfr'om the axis lof the rotarysolenoid, and 'a driven 'arm secured-to "f theft.A on thefaxis of rotation-of the L, theffree end of sai intermediate arrn-V slidablyl engaging' a-'sl'ot disposed -flongi tudinally` 1in the driven arm, thearrangementbeingvsuch "that:za;motion;of abouti-90.fof the drivingarrn :produce a motion. of 1801of the driven-armlwith gradual.accelera-f.v

p tion and deceleration.

to one another and both perpendicular to the inlet ange 7. A waveguide switch comprising a hollow body having an inlet flange and two spaced outlet anges parallel to one another in T relation, a waveguide L housed in said body and mounted for rotation about the axis of one of the two arms of the L coinciding with the axis of the inlet ange, a rotary solenoid fory operating said L, and linkage between said rotary solenoid and said L, said linkage comprising a driving arm on the rotary solenoid having its free end movable in a siot disposed longitudinally of an intermediate arm pivoted at a point spaced from the axis of the rotary solenoid, and a driven arrn secured to the L on the axis of rotation of the L, the free end of said intermediate arm slidably engaging a slot disposed longitudinally in the driven arm, and said driving and intermediate arms being disposed at right angles in their terminal positions so that the linkage is self-locking.

8. A waveguide switch comprising a hollow body having an inlet ange and two spaced outlet anges parallel to one another in T relation, a waveguide L housed in said body and mounted for rotation about the axis of one of the two arms of the L coinciding with the axis of the inlet ange, a rotary solenoid for operating said L, and linkage between said rotary solenoid and said L, said linkage comprising a driving arm on the rotary solenoid having its free end movable in a slot disposed longitudinally of an intermediate arm pivoted at a point spaced from the axis of the rotary solenoid, and a driven arm secured to the L on the axis of rotation of the L, the free end of said intermediate arm slidably engaging a slot disposedl longitudinally in the driven arm, the arrangement being such that a motion of about of the driving arm produces a motion of of the driven arm with gradual acceleration and deceleration, and said driving and intermediate arms being disposed at right angles in their terminal positions so that the linkage is self-locking.

9. A waveguide switch comprising a hollow body having an inlet ange and two spaced outlet ilanges parallel to 'one another and both perpendicular to the inlet ange in 'Tl relation, a waveguide L housed in said body and mounted for rotation about the axis on one of the two arms of the L, coinciding with the axis of the inlet flange, the inlet end of said L having a cylindrical bearing portion, the `free end of the outlet arm of said L being convex andconforming to the surface of a sphere having its center at the intersection of the axes of the L, the inner face of each outlet flange being concavely spherical to conform -to the convexly spherical end of the L, and a shorting or isolation plate secured to said L and shaped at its periphery to conform to the concavely spherical inner f ace of the flange opposite the outlet arm ofthe L, said'isolation plate being located at one outlet flange when the outlet arm of the L is at the outher outlet flange.

waveguide switch comprising a hollow body having an inlet ange and ltwo spaced outlet anges parallel Ato one another and both perpendicular to the inlet flange in T relation, a waveguide L housed inl said body and mounted'for rotation about the axis of one of the two arms of the L, coinciding with the axis of theMinlet flange, the inlet end of said L having a cylindrical bearing portion, the free end of the outlet arm of said L being convex and conforming to the surface of a sphere having its center at the intersection of the axes of the L, the inner face of each outlet flange being concavely spherical to conform to the convexly spherical end of the L, said inner face of said outlet ange having a chokedened on a frustum of a cone the apex of which coincides with the center of the spherical surface, and a shorting or isolation plate secured to said L and shaped at its periphery to conform to the concavely spherical inner face of the ilange opposite the outlet arm of the L, said isolation plate being located at one-outlet'ange when the outlet arm of the L is at the other outlet flange said isolation plate being made suf,- iciently weighty to counterbalance the outlet arm of the L for balanced rotation of the L about the axis of the inlet arm. f Y Y 1.1. A waveguide switch comprising a hollow body having an inlet ange and two spaced outlet angesparallel to one another and both perpendicular to the inlet ilange in T relation, a waveguide L housed in said body and mounted for rotation about the axis on one of the two arms of the L, coinciding with the axis of the inlet flange, the inlet end of said L having a cylindrical bearing.portion, the free end of the outlet arm of said L being convex and conforming to the surface of a sphere having its center at the intersection of the axes of the L, the inner face of each outlet ange being concavely spherical to conform to the" convexly spherical endA of the L, said innerface ofsaid outlet ange having a choke defined on the frusturn of a cone the apex of which coincides with the center of the spherical surface, said L having an Hl bend with itswalls mitcred, the inside corner being a right angle and the outside corner having a wall at an angle of 135 to the arms of the L.

-References Cited in the le of 'this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

